Philippines spirits tax appeal rejected

The European Union and the US Distilled Spirits Council (DISCUS) have welcomed a decision that finds the Philippines to be in breach of trade rules when it comes to tax on imported spirits.

Pernod targets US for Absolut Gräpevine and Miami

Pernod Ricard has furthered its line of Absolut Vodka flavours with the launch of Miami and Gräpevine to the US market.

Rémy unveils limited edition Cointreau for Dubai

Rémy Cointreau has created a limited edition bottle for its Cointreau orange liqueur brand, especially for Dubai Duty Free.

Beam agrees Cooley Distillery purchase

Beam Inc has announced an agreement to purchase Irish whiskey producer Cooley Distillery.

Direct Wines reshapes its buying and merchandising team

Direct Wines, the world's largest independent wine merchant with a turnover of £350 million, has announced major changes to its buying and merchandising teams.

Rok Stars thrash out Oval's UK debut

US consumer goods company Rok Stars has stuck a deal with Castle Trade Services to launch its recently acquired Oval vodka in the UK.

Peroni to gain from craft's rise, says brand director

The rise of craft beer in the US can benefit Peroni Nastro Azzurro, says the lager's global brand director Andrew Walker.

Rémy Cointreau cites Asia in H1 profit spike

Rémy Cointreau has attributed its positive half-year profits to “remarkable” growth in Asia and “strong” performances in the US and Europe.

Penfolds launches Bin 620 in Shanghai

Penfolds has launched Bin 620 Coonawarra Cabernet Shiraz to global markets, the first release of the ‘special bin’ since 1966.

Mexico: Beam teams up with La Madrileña

US: Mexico-based La Madrileña is to distribute Beam’s entire portfolio in Mexico. As part of the performance-based agreement, effective on January 1, 2012, La Madrileña will be the exclusive distributor of Beam’s brands, including Jim Beam bourbon, Sauza tequila, Courvoisier cognac and Cruzan rum.

Pickle Back

We’re all interested in ‘what’s going to be next?’ Well I returned recently from New York where, courtesy of Pernod Ricard/Irish Distillers I witnessed the launch of Jameson Select Reserve Black Barrel. Apparently the brand kicked off in the US in Brooklyn so the new limited edition ‘dialled up’ Jameson was launched there and at the moment it is only available there...

Smirnoff launches new flavours

US: Diageo has launched two new Smirnoff flavours. Whipped Cream and Fluffed Marshmallow are to be fronted by model and socialite Amber Rose. 

Jameson teams up with Kevin Spacey

World number one Irish whiskey, Jameson, is teaming up with film actor Kevin Spacey and his production company to launch a short film competition to discover talented screenwriters and directors from Russia, South Africa and the US.

Screw-cap acceptance in the UK has doubled in eight years, says new report

Acceptance of screw-cap closures on wine bottles sold in the UK has risen to 85% of the regular wine-drinking population, according to a report on wine stoppers from Wine Intelligence.

Buffalo Trace launches vodka distilled 159 times

US: Buffalo Trace has released a vodka that has been distilled 159 times.

Rok Stars buys Oval and unveils lofty ambitions

New US consumer goods company Rok Stars, headed by Patron Spirits co-founder John Paul DeJoria, has acquired Austrian vodka brand Oval.

Russian Standard appoints Palatella in the US

Russian Standard Vodka, which claims to be Russia’s number one premium vodka, has announced the appointment of John Palatella as executive vice president of sales & distribution for the US.

Beam celebrates 12m barrels of bourbon

Beam Inc has celebrated the filling of the company’s 12 millionth barrel of bourbon since the repeal of Prohibition in the US in 1933.

Bruce Willis vodka rolls out new flavours

US: Polish vodka brand Sobieski is to launch three new flavours in the US. Espresso, Cynamon and Bizon Grass are to be imported and marketed by Imperial Brands.

Jameson on course to hit 1.4m cases in the US

Pernod Ricard's new intenational brand development director says that it's number one Irish whiskey brand, Jameson, is on course to meet it's forecast of hitting 1.4 million cases in the US  within the next year.

Pernod and Ne-Yo join forces for Malibu Red

Pernod Ricard USA has announced a tie-up with US R&B artist Ne-Yo for the launch of Malibu Red, a liqueur made from rum and tequila. 

Irish Distillers launches Jameson Black Barrel

Irish Distillers launched the latest expression of its leading Irish whiskey brand, Jameson, in a 'softly softly' roll out in Brooklyn last night.

Auchentoshan flicks the switch

Glasgow-based whisky brand Auchentoshan completed the UK leg of The Auchentoshan Switch, a cocktail competition that offers two bartenders transatlantic internships.

Patrón enters India with Aspri Spirits

Patrón Spirits International has teamed up with Mumbai-based agent Aspri Spirits to distribute its portfolio of tequila, vodka and rum in India.

Sazerac serves up new Wave of flavours

Drinks group Sazerac has unveiled a line of flavoured vodkas under its Wave brand for the US market.

Buffalo Trace launches 2011 Antique Collection whiskeys

UK: Hi-Spirits is set to launch the Buffalo Trace Distillery 2011 Antique Collection this month.

Beam floats in Fortune Brands break up

US Spirits company Fortune Brands today begun trading as Beam on the New York stock exchange, following the separation of its businesses.

Pernod looks to Americas to overtake Diageo

Pernod Ricard is pinning hopes of further growth on the US, central and South America to undermine Diageo’s position as the number one drinks company in the world.

DISCUS issues digital marketing guidelines to brands

The Distilled Spirits Council of the US (DISCUS) and the European Forum for Responsible Drinking have issued guidelines for responsible alcohol advertising and marketing.

Kofi Annan speaks at TFWA Cannes

The Tax Free World Association’s World Exhibition in the famous French resort of Cannes opened today (Monday September 5). Christian Davis reports from Cannes. 

Diageo strengthens ties with Facebook

Diageo has announced plans to step-up its multi-million dollar strategic partnership with social media website Facebook.

Drambuie announces annual results

Drambuie has reported operating profits of £2.81m – up 2% on last year.

Maxxium Travel Retail outpaces market growth

Maxxium Travel Retail’s sales grew by 11% last year, outpacing European travel retail growth of 8%, according to findings by International Wine and Spirits Research (IWSR).

Scotch whisky exports up 22%

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has announced that the value of scotch exports for the first half of 2011 is up 22%

Champagne holds breath after “earliest harvest”

Growers, cooperatives and houses in Champagne have offered ambivalent first appraisals of the 2011 vintage, following what has been described as the appellation’s “earliest ever harvest”.

CIVB appoints marketing director

The Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB) or Bordeaux Wine Council, which represents Bordeaux vine growers and négociants, has announced the appointment of François Jumeau as its new marketing director.

Jacquesson releases single-vineyard champagnes

Champagne Jacquesson has announced the launch of two single-vineyard champagnes from 2002 to global markets.

Nomacorc registers double-digit growth

US-based synthetic closure brand, Nomacorc, has announced it registered 10% year-on-year growth during Q1 and Q2 of 2011.

Absolut reports 6% growth

Absolut Vodka, part of the Pernod Ricard group, has revealed that its annual sales value and volume grew by 6% during the period July 1 2010 to June 30 2011. 

Pernod posts 7% sales growth

Pernod Ricard has posted annual organic sales growth of 7% to achieve a turnover of €7.6b.

Patron ramps up marketing in South Africa

South Africa: Patron has launched its first billboard campaign outside of the US. 

Philippines spirits tax violates WTO rules

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has ruled that discriminatory excise tax on spirits in the Philippines is a violation of WTO rules.

Heineken buys two Ethiopian breweries

Africa: Heineken has purchased two breweries in Ethiopia for a total of US$163 million. 

Bacardi trials Bombay Sapphire East

Bacardi USA has announced plans to trial a new gin, Bombay Sapphire East, in the US on and off-trade.

Diageo unveils Captain campaign

Diageo has launched a global, multi-media marketing campaign for its Captain Morgan rum-based brand.

Ian Macleod Distillers sets travel retail record

Malaysia: Ian Macleod Distillers has set a new sales record for the company and the Malaysian Travel Retail industry.

DI's Christian Davis: Cheers to £75K Yquem

Seventy-five thousand pounds, or US$122,433 or 85,613, for a bottle of wine is mind boggling. OK, it’s Château d’Yquem, but from 1811. It was the year Napoleon II was born. Little did he know his father would abdicate three years later, returning after 11 months to fight and lose the Battle of Waterloo. 

Edrington pushes Brugal in travel retail

US: Brugal rum brand-owner the Edrington Group, their distributors Rémy Cointreau Travel Retail Americas and retailer International Shoppes have combined forces to promote travel retail exclusive Brugal Extra Viejo Reserva and Brugal Añejo Reserva - starting in New York JFK.

Mako Vodka makes US splash

Mako Vodka, a nautically themed spirit made using water from “ice-age aquifers” has launched to selected states in the US. 

StarBev eyes international expansion for Staropramen

StarBev has announced ‘significant investments’ in its Staropramen brand, as it eyes international expansion.